Alan Cumming
Actor & Activist
For the past 25 years, Alan Cumming has forged a career that is as idiosyncratic and diverse as it successful.
Categories :
Full Bio
For the past 25 years, Alan Cumming has forged a career that is as idiosyncratic and diverse as it successful. While a student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama he made his movie debut in Passing Glory and his theatre debut as ‘Malcolm’ in Michael Boyd’s production of Macbeth at the Tron, Glasgow. Upon graduating he found fame quickly as the latter half of Scottish stand-up sensations Victor and Barry. Within a few years he made a sensational West End debut at the Royal Court Theatre in Conquest of the South Pole for which he received his first Olivier Award nomination, and went on to seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre where he won an Olivier Award for Accidental Death of An Anarchist, the classic which he also adapted for the stage.
For the National Theatre Studio he directed Bonjour La, Bonjour . He was nominated for Olivier Awards for La Bete and Cabaret, and his sensational ‘Hamlet’ in London won him a TMA Best Actor Award and a Shakespeare Globe nomination.
He co-wrote, produced, directed and acted in The Anniversary Party, which won them a National Board of Review award and two Independent Spirit nominations. He won six awards for acting and directing on the film festival circuit for his second film, Ghost Writer.
In 1998, Cabaret opened on Broadway and Alan was instantly embraced by New York City and heralded for his stunning performance as ‘the EmCee.’ He won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle, FANY, Theatre World awards for his work.
He continued to work on Broadway in The Threepenny Opera and Design For Living and off-Broadway in Elle and The Seagull. In 2006, he returned to the British stage in Martin Sherman’s Bent.
When he’s not on stage, he guest starred on Sex and the City, Frasier and The L Word. He is also the host of PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery.
His film credits include Goldeneye, Emma, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, X2: X-Men United, the Spy Kids trilogy, Burlesque and Almost In Love. He starred and produced the independent film Sweet Land, for which he earned an Independent Spirit Award.
In 2009 he premiered his cabaret show I Bought A Blue Car Today and has since performed it at the Sydney Opera House, the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End and Los Angeles’s Geffen Playhouse.
He played the political maverick ‘Eli Gold’ on CBS’ The Good Wife, for which he has received Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award nominations.
In 2014, Alan added New York Times best-selling author to his resume, releasing his memoir Not My Father’s Son.
Alan’s activism and passion for causes such as LGBT rights and sex education have earned him many humanitarian awards from the LGBT Task Force, The Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, Lambda Legal, The Point Foundation and GLAAD’s Vito Russo Media Award.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening with Alan Cumming
Videos
Alan Cumming Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ
Alan Cumming Will Never Do A Comic Con Again | The Graham Norton Show | Friday at 11pm | BBC America
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS
1 HOUR OR LESS
